How to Build a Library

Shiro, a writer, and Wachuka, a publisher, face an uphill battle: the library is in bad shape, and they need to secure millions of dollars and the trust of the library’s staff to realise their ambitious vision. With over 400,000 items to catalogue, each step brings tough decisions about what to preserve and what to let go – and they must decide how to address the legacy of a collection dominated by white authors. In this vital documentary, directors Maia Lekow and Christopher King explore what it truly means to decolonise a public space, observing the library’s transformation into a vibrant, inclusive, and woman-led cultural hub with great care. Winner of the “Newcomers” award at Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival.

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